Journey Through the Minor Prophets, Part 3Sample

Intro

Nicole introduces this lesson on Malachi, a hard-hitting message about breaking faith and keeping faith. He addresses the vertical human-divine relationship and horizontal human-human relationships.

Malachi: In the Text

Malachi addresses a community that is complaining about God’s love and justice. Ironically, they were “breaking faith” with God and each other. In a society where relationships are “covenantal,” that’s a serious thing.

A Symbol for Malachi

The people return to the land and the Temple is rebuilt. But they bring blemished and diseased animals for sacrifice. What’s worse, the priests accept these animals and offer them to God. They serve in a state of ritual impurity and light “useless fires” on God’s altar.

“When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice lame or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?” says the LORD Almighty.

Malachi 1:8 (NIV)

Malachi prophesies of another Elijah who will attack priestly corruption and turn the people’s hearts back to God. This promise is given at the very end of the book—the final prophecy during the time of the old covenant. It prepares us for John the Baptist who will introduce the unblemished Lamb of God.

Six Disputes in Malachi